Device and method for dispensing cleaning material

ABSTRACT

A toilet bowl cleaning device comprising: a container for storing toilet bowl cleaning material adapted to rest upon the toilet&#39;s existing water tank; a filling arrangement for charging the cleaning material into said container; and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a dosage of cleaning material from the container into the water tank, the dispensing mechanism disposed above the level of water in the water tank and comprising: a pipe having a distal end and a proximal end; an opening for cleaning material to enter therein; a dispensing actuation mechanism; and an actuator return mechanism.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device and method for dispensing cleaning material, particularly to a toilet bowl.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art contains a plethora of toilet bowl cleaning devices. Some of these devices are attached to the rim of the toilet bowl, others are located within, on top of or at existing or formed apertures in the toilet's water tank.

US 2007/006369 (Sagy) discloses a device for supplying cleaning material for the automatic cleaning of a flush toilet having a tank with an auxiliary aperture comprising: a tube adapted for holding the cleaning material and adapted for insertion into the auxiliary aperture. The tube has a first portion adapted to allow it to pass through the auxiliary aperture, and a second portion designed to be external to the tank when installed therein. The device further includes a dosage mechanism disposed in the first portion of the tube for dosing a quantity of cleaning material, adapted for dispensing the quantity of the cleaning material into the tank upon flushing of the toilet.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,793 (Williamson et al) describes a dispenser for dispensing liquid from an inverted bottle into a tank at times when water in the tank drops below a buoying level. A hollow annular stationary member closes off the bottle's neck and has an annular diaphragm leading to a tube with seat at its upper and lower ends. A movable member has two portions that are slidable in the tube and are joined by a measuring portion. The member seats against one seat in its upper position with the measuring portion then wholly above the tube and against the other seat in its lower position, with the measuring portion then wholly below the tube, and it is moved between them by the change of water level in the tank. This movement is aided with a buoying skirt having an annular chamber that is normally filled with water and drains only after falling; the same chamber helps to dispose the measured charge of the other liquid.

GB 421,193 (Stanwell) provides a fluid mixing device adapted to add a small quantity of a liquid chemical solution to a flushing cistern. The device operates automatically and without moving parts and comprises a chamber having a depending dip pipe whose length can be slidably or telescopically varied. The lower portion of the dip pipe is immersed into the water of the cistern. There is also a small bore tube inside the chamber at the upper end of the dip pipe. Upon flushing, solution from the chamber is drawn through the tube into the dip pipe where it remains until the tank water drops below the lower end of the dip pipe at which point the solution enters the tank and then the toilet bowl.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a device for cleaning the bowl of a toilet having a water storage tank, the tank comprising an upper rim upon which a cover typically rests, the device comprising: a container for storing toilet bowl cleaning material, the container comprising sides, a top, and a bottom, the bottom comprising a rim corresponding to the upper rim of the storage tank; a filling arrangement for charging cleaning material into the container; and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a dosage of cleaning material from the container into the storage tank, the dispensing mechanism being disposed above the level of water in the storage tank.

It should be understood that the term “rim” is not intended to be limiting and any similarly functioning component or tank portion should be considered, in the specification and claims, as an equivalent.

For convenience, terms comprising the word “clean” or “cleaning”, and their derivatives, will be used herein the specification and claims and should be interpreted in their broadest sense and include terms such as sanitize, deodorize, freshen, disinfect, deodorize, anti-bacterial and the like, and their derivatives, and terms comprising them.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a toilet comprising a toilet bowl; a water storage tank, however without a tank cover; and a flushing mechanism, the toilet further comprising a toilet cleaning device as described herein.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for cleaning a toilet bowl comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device of the present invention that comprises a connector mechanism connecting a flushing component that has a downward motion upon flushing with the dispensing mechanism to thereby actuate dispensing of cleaning material by the device into the tank and installing the device on a toilet whose tank cover has been removed, or, providing a toilet comprising said device and said connector mechanism; (b) charging a quantity of cleaning solution into the device; and (c) flushing the toilet.

In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for cleaning a toilet bowl comprising the steps of: (a) providing a device of the present invention; (b) installing said device on a toilet whose tank cover has been removed, or, providing a toilet comprising said device; (c) charging a quantity of cleaning solution into the device; (d) acuating the dispensing mechanism of the device; and (e) flushing the toilet.

Advantages of the device of the present invention include:

-   -   1. it is easily retrofitted into existing toilets;     -   2. it is easy to use;     -   3. it is easy to manufacture;     -   4. it is not a hindrance to using the toilet;     -   5. it comprises simple components and construction thereby         limiting the need for maintenance;     -   6. various cleaning solutions can be conveniently used; and     -   7. there is no need for the user to closely approach the toilet         bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more clearly understood upon reading the following detailed description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments thereof, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a toilet and a toilet device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a generally schematic view showing greater detail of a dispensing mechanism of the toilet device of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3A-3C are generally schematic views of alternative disposing mechanisms of further embodiments of the toilet device; and

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate further embodiments of the toilet device, wherein the device comprises a container with a smaller and larger profile, respectively, than the toilet's water reservoir tank.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a toilet of the present invention. The toilet comprises the standard components of a typical toilet, including a toilet bowl B with a seat S attached thereto, a flush handle F for activating a flushing mechanism (not seen), and a water reservoir tank T with an upper rim R. It will be noticed that tank T does not comprise a cover (which would normally rest on rim R), rather it has a container 10 resting thereon. Toilet components typically disposed within tank T are not shown; and they do not affect the operation of the invention. Further, the toilet is illustrated with a connector pipe P between tank T and bowl B, however, this is merely to allow for a clearer view of the object components and is not necessary for operation of the invention.

Container 10 has the purpose of housing cleaning material, for example a liquid disinfectant 12, and comprises sides 14, a top 16 and a bottom 18. Sides 14 comprise a lower edge 20 which is adapted to correspond to upper rim R of reservoir tank T.

Container 10 further comprises a fill arrangement such as an opening 22 capped by a cap 24, for example a screw cap, a friction-fit cap, a snap-fit cap, etc, which may or may not be tethered. It should be understood that the fill arrangement could be embodied by a variety of other designs, for example, an arrangement comprising a funnel (not shown) to ease charging of disinfectant 12.

Container 10 further comprises a dispensing mechanism 26 for dispensing a dosage of disinfectant 12 from the container into storage tank T, where it mixes with water in the tank. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention (best seen in FIG. 2), dispensing mechanism 26 comprises a T-shaped dispenser pipe 28 comprising a generally vertical portion 30 and a generally horizontal portion 32. Vertical portion 30 of pipe 28 has a proximal end 34 and a distal end 36. Located at proximal end 34 is a dispensing actuator, for example, a button 38. Associated with button 38 is a button return means such as a spring 40 to return the button to its normal position after it is depressed and typically also a seal such as O-ring 42 such that depressing the button produces pressure within pipe 28. It should be understood that the seal could be constituted by other arrangements, for example a resilient (e.g. rubber or silicone) disk (not shown). Container 10 (or button 38) may also comprise indicia 44 for facilitating the dosing of a desired dosage, for example, a small medium or large dose (e.g. “1”, “2” and “3”, respectively, as shown). With indicia 44 on button 38, the button will typically protrude from container 10 so that indicia 44 are visible. Alternatively, button 38 may be designed to be flush with top 16 of container 10, in which case the container typically comprises a tubular opening (not shown) upon which indicia 44 appear.

At distal end 36 of pipe 28 there is disposed a one-way outlet valve 46 which allows disinfectant 12 to flow therethrough into tank T. Disposed in horizontal portion 32 of pipe 28 is a one-way inlet valve 48, allowing flow of disinfectant 12 only in the direction leading into the pipe.

After disinfectant 12 has been charged into container 10, it will fill pipe 28 via inlet valve 48 to a level equal to that as in the container. In order to provide disinfectant 12 to toilet bowl B, button 38 is depressed thereby producing pressure within pipe 28 and pushing a dose of disinfectant 12 into toilet tank T via outlet valve 46. Outlet valve 46 will be chosen so as to not to open at a relatively low pressure produced by the head of disinfectant 12 in container 10, rather it will open only due to the higher pressure produced by depressing button 38.

Upon depressing button 38 to the extent (and/or number of times) to dispense a desired amount of disinfectant 12, the disinfectant will flow via outlet valve 46 into tank T due to the pressure produced in pipe 28. Then, upon flushing of toilet T, the water in tank T, now containing disinfectant 12, will rinse and thereby clean bowl B.

FIGS. 3A-3C provide examples of other dispensing mechanism designs for additional embodiments of the toilet cleaning device.

FIG. 3A illustrates a dispenser mechanism 26 a, similar to that of FIG. 2, however, adapted for dispensing using a lever-type actuator, the lever being for example, a handle 50. Dispensing mechanism 26 a further comprises a can 52, to depress button 38, and a rotatable rod 54 connecting between handle 50 and the cam. Pressing handle 50 from its normal position rotates rod 54 and in turn rotates cam 52 therefore depressing button 38. As understood from FIG. 3A, button 38 is disposed within container 10.

FIG. 3B illustrates another dispenser mechanism 26 b comprising a dosage member 56 in the shape of a generally cylindrical cup having a substantially cylindrical wall 58 and bottom 60. Dosage member 56 is disposed at distal end 38 of pipe 28 and is designed to fit snugly therein to prevent leakage. It should be understood that dosage member 56 could be of a variety of shapes whose profile corresponds to that of pipe 28 to facilitate a snug fit.

Dosage member 56 further comprises at least one elongated window 62 for allowing disinfectant 12 to enter and be dispensed in the manner described below. Dosage member 56 may also comprise circumferential sealing members located at locations 64 and 66, in order to prevent leakage of disinfectant 12. On the other hand, it will be apparent to a person in the art that the present embodiment is amenable to the dispensing of a granular (or powder, and the like) disinfectant (not shown) as well as liquid disinfectant 12.

In this embodiment, dispensing mechanism 26 b further comprises a plunger rod 68 connecting button 38 and dosage member 56; and spring 40 is supported by an annular shoulder 70. As the dispensing does not use pressure, there is no need for a one-way inlet valve such as inlet valve 48, and the inlet can be constituted by an opening such as aperture 72.

FIG. 3C illustrates a dispenser mechanism 26 c wherein the dispensing is automatically actuated by flushing the toilet, i.e. actuated by flush handle F. In this embodiment dispenser mechanism 26 c is illustrated as similar to dispenser mechanism 26 b, however it further comprises an arrangement for connecting a moving component of the toilet and dosage dispenser 56. Such an arrangement may comprise a connector 72 connecting a float 100 (or its rod 102) in toilet tank T. For illustrative purposes connector 72 shown in FIG. 3C connects rod 102 and dosage dispenser 56. The connection may be achieved in a variety of ways and according to one exemplary design, connector 72 comprises an adjustable claw 74 to grasp rod 102. Rod 102 may be permanently fixed to dosage dispenser 56 or not, and if not, it may be attached via a hook portion 76 hooking a ring 78 depending from the dosage dispenser.

It should be understood that the connection between a component moved by flushing the toilet and the dispenser mechanism can be constituted by other means, for example a connector between flushing rod 102 to a rod like rod 54 (FIG. 3A) which thereby depresses button 38.

As such, it should also be understood that the toilet cleaning device of the present invention may be adapted whereby charging a dosage of disinfect 12 into tank T actuates the flushing of the toilet, mutatis mutandis.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate further embodiments of the toilet cleaning device, wherein it comprises a container 10 a with a smaller profile and a container 10 b with a larger profile, respectively, than tank T. Depending upon the desired container design, either bottom 18 or sides 14 may be adapted 3 to rest on the tank's upper rim R, for example, by way of a curved edge 80 (FIG. 4A) or 82 (FIG. 4B).

Although it is envisioned that a preferable design will be one wherein container 10 has a profile similar to that of tank T, as illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be desirable to design the container so that is larger or smaller than tank T due to considerations such as aesthetics and the height versus width preferred to achieve the desired volume for the container.

It should be understood that the above description is merely exemplary and that there are various embodiments of the present invention that may be devised, mutatis mutandis. 

1. A toilet bowl cleaning device for cleaning a toilet bowl having a water storage tank, the tank comprising an upper rim, the device comprising: a container adapted for storing toilet bowl cleaning material, the container comprising sides, a top, and a bottom, the bottom or sides adapted to correspond to and rest upon said upper rim; a filling arrangement for charging said cleaning material into said container; and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a dosage of cleaning material from the container into the storage tank, the dispensing mechanism disposed above the level of water in the storage tank and comprising: a pipe having a distal end and a proximal end; an opening for cleaning material to enter therein; a dispensing actuation mechanism; and an actuator return mechanism.
 2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser mechanism further comprises a one-way outlet valve at the distal end of the pipe.
 3. The device according to claim 2, wherein the dispenser mechanism further comprises a one-way inlet valve at an inlet to the pipe thereof.
 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the dispenser mechanism dispenses a dosage of cleaning material due to pressure produced during actuation thereof.
 5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning material is a liquid.
 6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning material is granular.
 7. The device according to claim 1, wherein the dispenser mechanism comprises a dosage member having a profile corresponding to that of the pipe.
 8. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a connector mechanism connecting the device and a toilet component whereby the dispenser mechanism is actuated upon flushing of the toilet.
 9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the return mechanism is a spring.
 10. The device according to claim 1, wherein the actuation mechanism comprises a button.
 11. The device according to claim 10, wherein the actuation mechanism further comprises a cam interfacing with the button, a rod operatively connected to said cam and a handle.
 12. The device according to claim 10, wherein the actuation mechanism has associated therewith indicia to indicate relative dosage of cleaning material.
 13. A toilet comprising a toilet bowl; a water storage tank with an upper rim; and a flushing mechanism, said toilet further comprising a toilet cleaning device comprising: a container adapted for storing toilet bowl cleaning material, the container comprising sides, a top, and a bottom, the bottom or sides adapted to correspond to and rest upon said upper rim; a filling arrangement for charging said cleaning material into said container; and a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a dosage of cleaning material from the container into the storage tank, the dispensing mechanism disposed above the level of water in the storage tank and comprising: a pipe having a distal end and a proximal end; an opening for cleaning material to enter therein; a dispensing actuation mechanism; and an actuator return mechanism. 